The world lost its Chandini this year, but her contribution to Indian Cinema lives on. Sridevi, was an iconic actress for all generation, be it her role as a naïve mother in English Vinglish or mesmerising role in Nagina, but her experimental stints in movies like Sadma, Lamhe stands apart.
On what would have been her 55th birthday, we are looking back at some of the late actress’ movies that changed the course of Indian cinema.
Sadma
Sridevi’s performance in the 1983 romantic drama is considered as the finest performances in Indian film history. Starring opposite Kamal Haasan, she played the role of women, suffering from retrograde amnesia following a head injury.
Somu (Haasan), a lonely school teacher, finds her and falls in love with her naïve antics. The end scene is heartbreaking, to say the least, brings to light Sridevi’s ability to play two different dimensions of the same character with absolute finesse.
Lamhe
This 1991 movie is often described as ‘a love story way ahead of time’ for taking on such a bold plot line- a man who falls for his old flame’s daughter. The Yash Chopra film stars Sridevi and Anil Kapoor in the lead roles, and the plot follows Viren (Anil) falling in love for Pallavi (Sridevi), who marries someone else.
Later in a tragic turn, the married couple die in a car accident, leaving behind daughter – who grows up to resemble her mother, who meets Viren and falls in love with him. The late diva shines through her double performance, bringing in the complexity of love, in the portrayal of mother and daughter.
Mr India
The sci-fi thriller Mr India made Anil Kapoor and Sridevi one of the hit on-screen pairs of the late 1980s. Who can forget the actress’s tongue and cheek Hawa Hawai song, or the sultry number, kate Nahin Katte?
Sridevi’s character as the journalist, who constantly butts head with the landlord and isn’t afraid to take that extra risk to follow the stories she believes in, surely won the fan’s hearts.
English Vinglish
After a gap of nearly a decade, Sridevi made a roaring comeback as Shashi, the housewife struggling to learn English after being belittled by her own family. The 2012 film English Vinglish resonated with most Indian audience, thanks to the actress’ compelling performance and some even bestowed her the title of ‘Meryl Streep of India’.
Mom
The list will not be completed without the mention of Sridevi’s last film, Mom. The revenge drama is about a mother, who turns into a vigilante to avenge the rape of her daughter after the law couldn’t get her justice. The moving subject line is well backed by Sri’s powerful performance as the mother, who will go to any lengths for her daughter.
We miss you Sri!
